When were they written by Paul? 1 Cor. was written about 59AD. 2 Cor. was written about 60AD. BOTH were written BEFORE the close of the Acts period. Specifically, Acts 28, when Israel was blinded and set aside. (Galatians was also written during this time, 58AD, as were 1 and 2 Thess., both in 54 AD., and Romans, 60AD). Why is this important? Because God was still dealing with Israel as a nation, until He blinds her and sets her aside, they become "lo Ammi", "not my people", at the close of Acts. Acts 28:25-29.
As long as He was dealing with Israel, miracles, signs, and wonders abounded. Even among Gentile members of the body of Christ. Why? "Ye men of ISRAEL, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man APPROVED OF GOD AMONG YOU BY MIRACLES AND WONDERS AND SIGNS, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." Acts 2:22.
This is why Paul writes to the Romans that "Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision..to CONFIRM the promises made unto the fathers" Rom. 15:8.
All written before Israel is finally set aside.
"The Jews REQUIRE a SIGN" 1 Cor. 1:22. Of course there would be miracles, signs, and wonders BEFORE Israel is blinded. Even among the Gentiles in the body of Christ.
The question is, did they continue, or did they stop after the close of the Book of Acts? If so, when, and why?
Cessationism is unsupported by Scripture—not a microscopic shred of support is in Scripture.
The world, the flesh and the devil have NOT changed.
God has NOT changed
Mankind has NOT changed
The devil’s strategies and methods have NOT changed in any essential terms.
To repeat:
Uhhhhhhhhh hello? Is it your impression that demons and demonic demonstrations have been on vacation the last 2000 years?
Is it your impression that Christians have been expected to battle demonic forces IN THEIR FLESH?
Is it your impression that Christians are called to wage war with principalities & powers in high places spiritually neutered with their portion of Holy Spirit’s miraculous potency in the closet or ‘gone fishing?’
That’s definitely NOT my Biblical understanding by a great long shot.
And that’s DEFINITELY NOT BEEN MY EXPERIENCE either. It has frequently taken all the praying in tongues, praying for healing; praying for supernatural assistance of various types etc. to do whatever God was calling me to do in various situations.
Given the lawlessness and massive demonic forces unleashed uniquely in the END TIMES, THE GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED FAR MORE NOW THAN EVER IN HISTORY—INCLUDING IN THE ACTS 2 ERA.
Scripture teaches we are to walk IN HIS SPIRIT, IN HIS BLOOD, IN HIS ABUNDANT LIFE, IN HIS HEALING, IN HIS EMPOWERING, IN HIS SUPERNATURAL GUIDANCE, IN HIS SUPERNATURAL PROVISION . . . SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE—IN THE NAME OF JESUS—GET UP AND WALK . . . THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE . . .
!NOW!
That Scripture does NOT SAY “shall follow them that believe after they get to Heaven.”
Who needs such in heaven??? Sigh.
There’s no need for healing there!
There’s no need for supernatural provision there.
There’s no need for a banquet in the presence of our enemies there.
There’s no need for supernatural guidance there.
There’s no need to add rebelliously to Revelation or anything else in Scripture AS ENSCRIPTURATED SCRIPTURE.
However,
IF
Cessationists were CONSISTENT on that score—their churches would never ever hear another sermon. All they’d do is stand up and read Scripture to one another. And if they had anything to say to one another, they’d just quote Bible verses to one another.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Blessings,
It is a pile of rationalizations from . . .
comforting human comfort zones . . .
particularly humans who
LOVE to be IN !!!CONTROL!!!
and who are not all that thrilled with a supernatural God who does things HIS way, HIS timing, with HIS surprises . . . unless they are in a bind requiring a miracle and then their theology tends to become a LOT more flexible in a hurry.
I don’t believe that when Corinthians was written has a single thing to do with the issue.
That’s like concocting some jury-rigged pile of postulations to pretend that Mary ascended bodily into Heaven etc., to me.
Paul was clearly laying out in Corinthians what he considered
NORMATIVE PROPER CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR IN THE CHRISTIAN GROUPS AND MEETINGS FOR THE ENTIRE CHURCH ERA.
I can’t really imagine how anyone could logically pretend anything else.
I know some do. I find it irrational and preposterous.